Regina typed, read the text, erased it and re-typed it, this continued for a couple minutes before she finally sent it to Emma. She became uneasy after it delivered and saw that the blonde had read it. Regina admitted she was flirting just a bit with her but the blonde did start it and she wanted to give Emma a taste of her own medicine. She hardly texted anyone, mostly Kathryn and her parents, Regina preferred talking than texting. But Gold was like a hawk in the office and if she stepped out to make a personal call, nothing good would come out of the situation.
She locked her phone and caught a glimpse of the time, 1:32. She had a meeting with Gold and the first chair, David Nolan, to discuss the outcome of the case in about thirty minutes. Regina at the moment was suppose to be preparing notes, gathering her thoughts on the case and thinking of other strategies that could have worked. Usually, she would have been on the task giving it every bit of her attention but today was different. Yes, she craved the acceptance and respect of Gold, however Regina was more focused on impressing Emma. The blonde seemed like she had a beautiful personality and would probably make a great roommate but Regina was never a people pleaser. Satisfying others did not appeal to her and she usually impressed them with her intelligence and the manner of which she carried herself. But this case was the complete opposite because Regina actually wanted to win Emma over and she cared about the blonde's impression on her.
Regina's attention shifted when her computer chimed, indicating she had a new email. Clicking the big yellow O on the dock, Regina was surprised when her new email read From: Killian Jones and even more surprised with the message.
Hello Regina,
I would like to apologize for my behaviour last night. I was awfully tired and did not expect a phone call, at those hours. But I am forever grateful because the information you collected won me my case and cleared me to work again. I'm forever in your debt and can't even fathom how I can repay you. But a good start would be dinner tonight, just you and me. And I have the perfect place in mind. I'd like to get to know you better and express my gratitude over several glasses of wine.
For Now,
Killian Jones
Regina could not contain the laughter that was bubbling inside her and for a brief moment it gained the best of her. Several tears gathered in her eyes and Regina carefully wiped them away not wanting to smudge her eyeliner. She reread the email and thought of the actions to be taken place. Obviously, Killian had more in mind than dinner and drinks but Regina did not have any intentions of going on a date or even sleeping with him. She formulated an email that got straight to the point and left no room for reading between the lines or assumptions.
Good Afternoon Mr. Jones,
I feel honored about your invitation to dinner but I am currently unavailable tonight; other dinner plans. And if we were to have dinner, Mr. Nolan would also have to be our guest. He, in fact, did argue on your benefit for over seven hours and should be thanked, as well. It was his idea to find information about Miss Simmons, which lead me to question you about company parties. Unfortunately, if you wished to have dinner alone I would be violating company policies. I am not allowed to date current or previous clients. But thank you again and think about dinner with Mr. Nolan.
Sincerely,
Regina Mills
Checking for grammatical errors, Regina happy with the email pressed the send button and put her computer to sleep. She should have guessed Mr. Jones would have made a move because of the comments he said in court regarding how well her dress outlined Regina's figure. The comments did not bother her; in fact Regina was quite accustomed to men commenting on her beauty or body. Walking down the streets of New York, one gets a few catcalls and several lingering looks. The only time Regina called a guy out on lewd behaviour would be whenever a frisky and courageous fellow tried to touch, grab or even smack her assets and if she felt sexually harassed by his remarks. Which she hated to admit, happened a lot more than she liked.
Realizing her meeting started in less than ten minutes, Regina quickly scribbled a few notes on the yellow legal pad directly in front of her and speed walked to the elevators. It was one of those days she wished Mr. Gold's office was not three floors above her.
Hitting the up arrow button, Regina muttered curse words, as if that would make the elevator arrive faster. She repeatedly assaulted the button of the elevator, knowing if she were even a second late, Gold would have her head. She prayed David would be late, as well, at least she would not have to handle Gold's wrath alone. Pressing the button again, Regina whispered "Shit!" when she realized the meeting started in five minutes.
"I don't think assaulting or even saying means things at the elevator is going to it make come faster." Regina had not heard the voice before but the person behind her sounded British, which peaked her interest because Gold claimed the title of "Foreigner" in the office. Slowly turning around, Regina quickly thought of a smart remark to give the stranger but before she could completely face him, the elevator opened.
Dashing into the elevator, Regina pressed the button for the twelfth floor and inspected the man next to her. He was only a couple inches taller than her, brunette hair cut short, facial hair but he kept it low and clean, he was looking straight ahead but appeared to be deep in thought. Regina tried to catch a glance of his behind, however the stranger changed his body's direction and was now facing her. He smiled softly, at Regina before he finally filled the silence.
"Enjoying the view?" The stranger asked while staring directly into Regina's eyes.
Regina taken back by the bluntness pursed her lips and gave him an honest answer. Two could play this game. "I was before you rudely interrupted and turned around."
The stranger chuckled, while shaking his head and then he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his loose fitting jeans. An image of Emma from last night flashed across Regina's mind when she watched the stranger's action. A faint smile appeared on Regina's face but she drew her attention back to the guy in front of her. She thought an introduction would be appropriate right about now.
"I'm Regina, nice to meet you." Regina offered a hand to man in front of her.
"Likewise, name is Robin." Instead of shaking Regina's hand, Robin placed a delicate kiss on the back of it. Quite shocked by his gesture, she carefully pulled her hand away and located it behind her back.
"Robin? Like Batman's apprentice?" Regina tried to disguise her embarrassment with a corny joke.
"I prefer more like the King of Thieves, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor."
"Ha! He just needed an excuse to clear his conscious and sleep at night." Regina always believed to take actions for your consequences but ironic because most of the people the firm represented were guilt of their accusations.
"Well, I think Robin was a genuinely caring guy and did what he felt was right."
Robin gave her a big smile, waiting for Regina to answer. But before she could the elevator announced its arrival, leaving her with only three minutes until the meeting started. Exiting the elevator, Regina ran quickly to Gold's office leaving Robin a bit awestruck.
After a boring day at the precinct, Emma could not be anymore excited for the night ahead. With only three hours until dinner, she had a lot of preparation and closet searching to be done. Approaching her apartment, Emma noticed the door was cracked open and she heard voices coming from inside. Removing her gun from the holster on her lower back, Emma slowly opened the door and followed the voices in her apartment. Hearing them louder from her roommate's room, Emma walked to the door of the room mentally counted to three and rushed into the room, screaming freeze. The two assailants dropped the objects in their hands and turned towards Emma but only for her to realize it was her roommate and fiancé.
Quickly placing her gun back, Emma dropped her eyes and cringed waiting for Mary Margaret to tell Emma about guns in the house. Both women were the same age but Mary Margaret treated the blonde like her daughter but it stopped bugging Emma after couple months of living with the preppy short-haired woman.
"Emma! You gave me a mini-heart attack. What were you thinking?" Mary Margaret questioned in a motherly tone.
Emma still looking at the floor lowered her eyebrows and gave Mary Margaret a half smile. "Sorry, I thought you guys were robbers. My police instincts kinda kicked in."
Mary Margaret puzzled by Emma's answer, took her eyes off of the blonde and stared at her fiancé before looking back at Emma. "Why would you think that?"
"Well because the door was opened and I heard voices coming from inside."
"And your first conclusion was that someone was robbing the place?" Mary Margaret sometimes did not understand Emma's logic or her reasoning. Both women were complete opposites and at times did not see eye to eye on certain situations or decisions.
"Yeah! Wouldn't it be yours?" Emma's eyes were no longer planted on the floor but she still did not make direct contact with her roommate.
"Of course not, Emma! I'd think it was my roommate moving her things out of the apartment, plus we discussed this early in the week."
Emma had been so preoccupied this week that her conversation with Mary Margaret completely slipped her mind. She called before Emma left for work on Tuesday, telling the blonde she'd be stopping by for the rest of her stuff. Remembering the conversation, Emma felt like an absolute idiot.
"Oh, right that. I forgot, it's a poor excuse for almost killing you but it's the truth."
Mary Margaret was now giving Emma her judgmental and disapproving stare and in that moment, Emma felt horrible for the couple's future kids. But Emma had her own look, which always melted the brunette's heart. Mary Margaret called it Emma's puppy dog eyes but whatever it was had a one hundred percent success rate.
"Ah, come on, Mary Margaret. Forgive me?" Emma said whilst using her puppy dog eyes.
Emma could see Mary Margaret slowly beginning to soften up and not to long afterwards a smile made an appearance. A one hundred percent success rate.
Saying hello to David and giving Mary Margaret a hug, Emma left the room to prepare for her 'date' tonight. Making a mental list, Emma knew she a lot had to be done before she even looked decent. First thing was to find something, a dress, to wear. Opening her closet, Emma pushed all her clothes to one side because all her dresses were at the back of the closet. They were not many occasions, where a dress would be required and right now Emma secretly wished she went out more often. The first dress she passed was a long strapless dress, which Emma wore to a ball the Mayor held and her entire precinct was invited. That wouldn't work for dinner. The second option was a red, skintight dress Emma bought for an undercover operation and it looked decent enough for dinner. Emma removed it from the closet and laid it on her bed, giving it a once over before she hopped in the shower.
Twenty minutes and two shaved legs later, Emma entered her room to be surprised by Mary Margaret ransacking her closet. Pretending to clear her voice, she coughed and waited for her soon to be previous roommate to acknowledge her presence.
"Hey, Emma. I'm just looking for that blue cardigan you borrowed couple months ago." The brunette then resumed her previous actions and continued the search for the missing cardigan.
Emma shook her head because Mary Margaret knew she never borrowed clothing from her and the brunette was currently wearing the blue cardigan. Securing her towel, Emma walked over to the closet and put one hand on Mary Margaret's shoulder. Gently squeezing it, Emma pulled her away from the closet and guided Mary Margaret to the bed. She knew the short-haired woman would miss the blonde, Emma would also miss living with her. Mary Margaret looked directly into Emma's eyes and then rested her head on her partially wet shoulder. They often would do this, neither talking for a while, both comfortable in the silence and each other's presence.
"You are wearing the cardigan." Emma whispered, trying to cherish the moment.
Mary Margaret confused, looked down and saw what Emma was talking about. She smiled for a bit before pulling the blonde into a hug. After a couple seconds, both released because of Emma's current condition.
"Where are you heading out, young lady?" Now back in mother mode.
"Dinner with a prospective new roommate."
"Oh, that sounds nice. What are you wearing?"
Emma rolled her eyes because she knew Mary Margaret always questioned her sense of style and fashion. Pointing to the dress behind her, Emma removed herself from the room and plugged in her hair dryer to start getting ready. She waited patiently for Mary Margaret to follow her to the bathroom and comment on the dress.
"Emma, sweetie, do you really think that dress is appropriate for dinner?" She was leaning against the doorframe, watching Emma untangle her hair.
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Well what else do you plan on wearing with it? Are you gonna wear heels, what about a coat?"
Emma stared at Mary Margaret before turning on the hair dryer tuning out the motherly woman. She could faintly hear Mary Margaret screaming her name but ignored her and focused on her hair. But apparently the pixie haired woman did not get the message because while Emma was running the brush through her hair, Mary Margaret unplugged the dryer from socket.
"What the hell?" A distraught Emma yelled.
"Watch your tone, young lady." Emma rolled her eyes because they were the same freaking age. There were times, when Mary Margaret was a bit overwhelming and this would be that time.
"Emma, let me help you. This is probably the last time you'll see me before I'm in a big puffy white dress. I'll find something better for you to wear, do your hair and even put some make up on you. We never got to do this!"
"Fine, fine whatever. But the reservations are at seven, so be quick." Emma mumbled through her teeth. She knew she'd end up regretting the decision later.
"Quick is my middle name! Let me tell David I'll be busy. It'll be so much fun, trust me!"
Emma already regretted it.
Two Hours Later
"Reservations for Regina Mills?"
"Miss Mills, it's a pleasure seeing you again. Would you like your regular table?" The maître d, a young red head with brown highlights greeted Regina with enthusiasm.
"That would be lovely, dear. Has my guest arrived yet?"
"No, but she left you a message. Let me get it for you."
Regina watched as the girl opened a small notebook and pull a folded piece of paper from the front of it. She wondered why Emma did not call her or even send a text? Was Emma cancelling on their date or maybe she changed her mind about the apartment? Regina felt a sensation of nervousness coming over her but quickly snapped out of it, she shouldn't be quick to jump to conclusions.
"Follow me, please," the maître d signaling Regina to walk with her.
Regina's favourite table was located on the second floor of the restaurant; she personally thought the décor more elegant than the first floor's and it was far from the kitchen. The maître d's stand, only a couple feet from the stairs, Regina followed the red head, even though she knew her way around. Tonight, a live band played in the middle of the room, all of the musicians in black suits and the singer, female, wearing a long, black, shimmering dress.
The table was placed against the banister of the stairs, giving them a bird's eye view of the first floor but a full view of the entire second floor. The red head drew Regina's chair out and handed her the wine menu, after she was seated.
"Your server tonight will be Jenna. Enjoy your meal." The maître d smiled, while signaling something to someone by the bar, situated at the front of the room.
"Thank you, Amy." Regina stated with a small smile.
Giving her a nod, Amy made her way back downstairs, tending to other customers. After she left, Regina hastily opened the message Emma left for her and sighed a sigh of relief when she read the letter. Now smiling, Regina sent the blonde a quick text, thanking her for the politeness and generosity. And she was basically all teeth when Emma responded.
Thank you for the message and suggesting I order without you. But I prefer to wait; maybe I'll get a drink.
I told you, I'm very charming and don't get drunk without me. :)
Very funny, Miss Swan.
Jenna, her waitress, came over seconds later and asked Regina if she'd like to order. Only ordering a glass of Chardonnay, Regina told Jenna about the second party and asked for her to come back when Emma arrived. Listening to the band play a jazz version of "I Am Woman", Regina thought of the numerous occasions Kathryn dragged her to this restaurant for a girls' night. Most women would consider a girls' night to be filled with bar hopping, clubs, appletinis and a night of regrets, which Kathryn always begged for them to do. But she knew Regina and a sophisticated night out appealed to her more than a club filled with sweaty people grinding on each other. She hadn't heard from Kathryn for several weeks and Regina started to worry about her friend. Not the type of worry where she thought someone killed Kathryn, but she worried that Kathryn was digging herself too deep into her work. Regina knew once Kathryn became too engulfed in work or even in a boyfriend, her best friend might crack under pressure and have a mini mental breakdown. She made a mental note to check in on Kathryn tomorrow after work.
"Regina?" A familiar voice addressed the brunette.
Averting her eyes from the band, Regina shifted her attention to the person who called her name. She was rather surprised, when the voice that spoke belonged to a certain Emma Swan. The blonde looked absolutely stunning and Regina hated to admit it but she took Regina's breath away.
"Emma…" Regina managed to mutter the name out of her mouth. The blonde was wearing a black leather dress that stopped half way on her thighs with black tights, which were a different shade than her dress and black suede stiletto platform heels. And the outfit was topped with a bright red coat. Emma went with simple, delicate waves that cascaded down her back and Regina noticed the blonde was also wearing makeup. Nothing too heavy but her eyelashes appeared thicker and darker than when Regina saw her last night and her eyes done cat eye style. She wore a hint of blush and her lips a soft pink. Regina had no idea Emma could or would clean up this well.
Emma noticed how flustered the brunette became and thanked Mary Margaret for the countless amount of time she spent on Emma. Who knows what might have happened if she wore her red dress?
Giving Regina a small smile, Emma decided to remove the tension and awkwardness from the air. "So a dress is what it takes for you to call me by my first name, huh?"
Regina, still a bit in her daze smirked at the blonde and replied with a cheeky comment. "Well then aren't you glad I suggested it, Miss Swan."
She purposefully stressed and lowered her voice once she reached the last two words. Regina refused to give the blonde an upper hand, in the conversation tonight. It would Emma's turn to be flustered and nervous.
Shifting uncomfortable after the brunette seductively whispered her name, Emma cleared her throat and stared directly at the woman. Game on.
A/N: Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will be something between Regina and Robin BUT don't worry because it won't last forever and I have big plans for how it will affect Emma and Regina's relationship. The story is still about SwanQueen. Next chapter, obviously, will be the 'date' and I wanted that to be completely separate and give it a lot of attention. The song the band is playing "I Am Woman" has about three different versions, The Supremes, Helen Reddy and Irene Diaz (my personal favourite). If you guys would like to see any characters or have ideas for future chapters, please don't be shy! I'm open to anything. Don't forget to review!